Matthias Edlinger "Cardboard Stories" Exhibition

"Cardboard Stories" is the second part of an exhibition trilogy.

Matthias Edlinger seamlessly continues the narrative from the first part ("Prêt-à-Portrait", 2022) and consistently develops the story.

Some familiar images and themes reappear, but more grown-up, developed further or surprisingly recombined.

Painting meets sculpture and video. Portraits meet used cardboard. Used cardboard and all its facets are reinterpreted. Because used cardboard tells stories. That is why Edlinger has been collecting special pieces in his maturing chamber for years. "With cardboard, it's almost like with wine," says Edlinger, "that one over there, for example, is a 2018 Lovelace - good vintage!" The piece of used brown cardboard carries memories and thus a whole universe of possible stories. Which ones exactly? You can associate that yourself from the individual traces and signs of use.

Perfectionism does not characterise Edlinger's way of working, instead he uses the error-friendly and unmediated approach of street art. Edlinger produces a lot. He varies within his themes, makes forays and recursions within his own work, works in series and thereby condenses his oeuvre.

Stickers, paste ups and digital content are multiple ways he multiplies his content. His works are like a fast, wild ride through pop culture.

In terms of content, Edlinger is definitely oriented towards the present. In this sense, he is also a clever and humorous chronicler of our time and our everyday reality.

Edlinger thinks in boxes - but still "outside the box".